Strength of fibreglass over time

[RohanJ]

Dear All,

I do find the Mark I is the more attractive topside shape of the Top Hats. I had a failed rowing attempt on the weekend trying to row across between South Molle and Whitsunday Island. It was 20 knots at 7am with whitecaps, just before the tide reverses to become a wind vs tide situation. So I stuffed around Airlie checking out the boats. Two boats caught my attention. A freshly painted Clansman was at a mooring looking very elegant and a Mark I TH was in the marina.

I have two questions.
How old is too old for fibreglass?
Has anyone made any modifications to strengthen a hull either in advance of heavy use or to stengthen a known weak spot?

Some information follows that prompted my question.

A TH for sail in Melbourne.
http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sal ... -25/187292
"Fibreglass/GRP Hull strengthened at fit out"

A forum member.
"I agree that fibreglass gets more fragile with age."

Ian Mitchel talking about his son's structural issue.
"After a few days slamming to windward, the hull started to leak in the vicinity of the starboard stringer which supported the V berth. ....The hull was cracked along the stringer."

And of course, the TH Mark I is an older boat. Is a Mark III going to have a stronger hull because of the age factor if all else was equal?

Thank you in advance for any comments on this issue.

Rohan

[Phillip]

The Mitchell Mk1 is the only TH that I have heard about having a problem as described and as to the cause I'm not sure.

We, I can also say me, do treat our TH's badly from time to time and remember a lot of people have learnt to sail in TH's.
So those with many owners or even a few can have had all sorts of things done to them.

In my case, Seaka already had ample evidence of hard encounters and I only added to them when I "kissed" the Lake Macquarie bridge

What you have to remember is that the hull and deck thickness was reduced steadily over the 3 Marks.

As to when the glass becomes brittle, who knows, but I know I wont have to worry about it.

[woodsy]

During the recent heavy weather in Sydney , my Mk1 broke its mooring & was washed onto rocks in Pittwater. My neighbours very quickly hauled it off during the big blow.(GREAT NEIGHBOURS!) The hull is intact with no damage I can see. Its been on a nearby beach until I can dive & repair the mooring.....after I locate it.

[Phillip]

Great example of the Top Hat Mk 1 strength Woodsy,

But one not to be used every day I would think

[Miker]

During the recent heavy weather in Sydney , my Mk1 broke its mooring & was washed onto rocks in Pittwater. My neighbours very quickly hauled it off during the big blow.(GREAT NEIGHBOURS!) The hull is intact with no damage I can see. Its been on a nearby beach until I can dive & repair the mooring.....after I locate it.

Woodsy, was that your boat I saw in the distance on the mud in Elvina Bay? We didn't get close in because I was with others looking at boats to buy, but from the distance it looked like a Top Hat.

I'm so paranoid about my mooring, I have it serviced every year by Pittwater Mooring Services, Robbie looks after me and it's good insurance at around $300 per year. Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a go at you though. Hope you get her sorted soon, and let me know if you need any help. I'm in Careel Bay, so not far.

[woodsy]

That's my baby on the beach.
I was a commercial diver in the past AND managed a mooring business.
I service my mooring yearly but a bout of poor health then a ' must do', sailing trip delayed me...till the weather was not inviting enough to get wet. The big blow was too much for the shackle from the swivel to the chain , is my guess. I can probably find the mooring block with a rock pick on light rope dragged around the area but will still need to get wet to reattach it all. BRRRRR. Just glad the fibreglass on the hull was STRONG.

[Troppo]

Scary when boats go a-wondering. Woodsy, amazing that your boat survived. Makes for a much better story than it being wrecked : ).

troppo

[Phillip]

The only fibreglass Top Hat I have heard of being wrecked, and didn't make it, went ashore right up to the cliffs on one of the northern beach headland National Parks.

It was a Mark 1 and the hired Captain [to sail her from Sydney to Pittwater] went to court over the matter.

The Top Hat was so far ashore they couldn't see how to get it off when National Parks stepped in and said "remove or we will!"

Before they knew what was happening the NPWLS had the chainsaws out, cut it up into bits and hauled it off in a couple of those large rubbish bins.

A very sad affair.

[Miker]

That's my baby on the beach.
I was a commercial diver in the past AND managed a mooring business.
I service my mooring yearly but a bout of poor health then a ' must do', sailing trip delayed me...till the weather was not inviting enough to get wet. The big blow was too much for the shackle from the swivel to the chain , is my guess. I can probably find the mooring block with a rock pick on light rope dragged around the area but will still need to get wet to reattach it all. BRRRRR. Just glad the fibreglass on the hull was STRONG.

Bugger! At least Elvina is protected from almost all directions, so she should be OK for a bit. As suggested, if you need a hand I'm about. Even during the week with a days notice. Hope you get her sorted soon.

[woodsy]

Thanks Michael. While I fix the mooring , could you clean out my septic tank, paint the front verandah & rebuild the front retaining wall? I'll supply lunch of course.
Other than that, join me for coffee & intro chat in Elvina one day. Anchor in the bay & I'll pick you up in my tinnie.
Cheers.
Larry.